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Social support in Cambodia: the role of peer educators in behavior change

Running head: SOCIAL SUPPORT IN CAMBODIA 1
Social Support in Cambodia:
The Role of Peer Educators in Behavior Change
Katherine M. Pieper
A Dissertation Presented to the
Faculty of the USC Graduate School
University of Southern California
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
(COMMUNICATION)

In developing countries, maternal and child health is often a primary area where health systems fail. To address this need, organizations offer interventions to train community members on disease prevention and effective health practices. This study assesses the results of one such intervention among men and women in Cambodia. This study examines the role of village volunteers in providing health training to residents of a single province in Cambodia. The role of social support in these training sessions is investigated as a means of explaining the adoption of new behaviors and acquisition of information. Study participants were men and women (of childbearing age) in rural villages in Cambodia. Participants were interviewed individually regarding their knowledge and behaviors related to a number of health outcomes. Results demonstrated that peer educators are an important source of health information for their community. The impact of social support is less clear. Findings are discussed in terms of cross-cultural adaptation of measurement with attention to future intervention contexts. Self-efficacy theory (Bandura, 1977) and the Health Belief Model (Janz & Becker, 1984; Stretcher & Rosenstock, 1997) are used as a framework for understanding how efficacy support may contribute to health outcomes.

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Running head: SOCIAL SUPPORT IN CAMBODIA 1
Social Support in Cambodia:
The Role of Peer Educators in Behavior Change
Katherine M. Pieper
A Dissertation Presented to the
Faculty of the USC Graduate School
University of Southern California
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
(COMMUNICATION)